09/22/05 Apple harvest by variety, Finale

09/22/05 Apple harvest by variety, Finale

Apple growers across the nation, and in particular Washington State, are getting excited about the potential of the 2005 crop from a profitability standpoint. That's because with even lower quantity projections for the crop than original estimates, it could mean better prices for apples. STEPHENS: Reds look to be down about seven or eight million boxes. So that has a tendency when the crops down to enhance profitability. And Nick Stephens of Double Diamond Fruit and Columbia I.P.M. says that profitability should also carry over to the later fall varieties. It is these varieties that have gained the most attention from growers in recent years due to their profit margins. And there is no better example of the rise of these new varieties than from the Fuji apple. STEPHENS: We're right now in the middle of September and we're looking at excellent color development on Fuji's this year. Good finish on the product, and I think growers yet have again one more reason to be optimistic about their chances for profitability. And most of these varieties are around last year's levels or slightly lower from a quantity standpoint. But just like those varieties already harvested or that are being harvested, quantity is being made up by quality, like in the case of Braeburns. STEPHENS: The Braeburn are looking very good. They're starting to color up. And although harvest is off by a couple of weeks, so far we're looking at a very good Braeburn crop.
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